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LaDawn Druce asks Sen. Jesse Bjorkman a question during a town hall event on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Addressing Kenai Peninsula’s education and public safety employee shortage

Many of our best and brightest educators take a hard and close look at the teacher’s retirement system in Alaska early in their careers and are stunned

  • Sep 22, 2023
  • By LaDawn Druce
LaDawn Druce asks Sen. Jesse Bjorkman a question during a town hall event on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)

On the Screen: Murder most haunting

Hercule Poirot takes on supernatural in latest Agatha Christie adaptation

Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)
Jack Meyers, Jackson Hooper, Kincaid Jenness, Kry Spurgeon, Leora McCaughey and Oshie Broussard rehearse “Lockers” at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

High school drama

Teenage archetypes hit the stage in Triumvirate production “Lockers”

Jack Meyers, Jackson Hooper, Kincaid Jenness, Kry Spurgeon, Leora McCaughey and Oshie Broussard rehearse “Lockers” at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Gnocchi brings it home

Enjoying an afternoon in the kitchen

This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Signage directs voters to voting booths at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

For those who vote and those who don’t…

When and where to vote

Signage directs voters to voting booths at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vendors and vegetables

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival celebrates local food scene at Soldotna Creek Park

Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Destination not journey

Reviewing the last column, I wondered when we started to avoid driving

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building.

Opinion: UAA offers affordable and convenient pathways that prepare students for the next step

At UAA, we provide numerous academic programs designed to meet specific workforce needs

  • Sep 16, 2023
  • By Denise Runge
UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building.
1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine
Rusty Lancashire backs up the family tractor so her husband Larry can connect it to the disc for their fields.

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 3

Rusty and the three Lancashire daughters arrived in Kenai on June 19

1954 photo by Bob and Ira Spring for Better Homes & Garden magazine
Rusty Lancashire backs up the family tractor so her husband Larry can connect it to the disc for their fields.
A line of voters runs out the door of the Diamond Ridge Voting Precinct at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. Chamber Executive Director Brad Anderson said he had never seen the amount of people coming through the polling place. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

How many ways can you vote?

Multiple ballot options available to voters

A line of voters runs out the door of the Diamond Ridge Voting Precinct at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. Chamber Executive Director Brad Anderson said he had never seen the amount of people coming through the polling place. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork donated for the Harvest Auction hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Aug. 29.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork donated for the Harvest Auction hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Aug. 29.
Shana Loshbaugh (Courtesy photo)

History comes home

Historical conference to bring statewide community to central Kenai Peninsula

Shana Loshbaugh (Courtesy photo)
This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Serving up walnuts, dates and a little courage

My new job will not be an easy one.

This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival returns Saturday

The event will feature live music, cooking demonstrations, educational talks, food trucks, guided edible walks, a pie-baking contest and the Fermentation Station

Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
North Kenai Beach, Aug. 1, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: The Circle Game

I don’t feel like I’ve been outside much lately. The problem is I have been outside a lot lately. In “The Circle Game,” Joni Mitchell… Continue reading

North Kenai Beach, Aug. 1, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
[   2a—] Larry and Rusty Lancashire (at left) pose in front of a B-24 bomber in the early 1940s with another unidentified couple. Larry was a B-24 co-pilot during World War II. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)

The Lancashires: Evolving lives on the evolving Kenai — Part 2

Larry Lancashire’s status as a military veteran would aid him in his homesteading efforts on the Kenai Peninsula

[   2a—] Larry and Rusty Lancashire (at left) pose in front of a B-24 bomber in the early 1940s with another unidentified couple. Larry was a B-24 co-pilot during World War II. (Photo courtesy of the Lancashire Family Collection)
Members of Kenai Camera and Coffee meet at a local coffee shop. (photo courtesy Colette Gilmour)

Local photographers find confidence through collaboration

The group is putting on show at Kenai River Brewing

Members of Kenai Camera and Coffee meet at a local coffee shop. (photo courtesy Colette Gilmour)
Ben Mattox performs as part of BenJammin & The Jammin Band during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Jammin one last time

BenJammin and the Jammin Band play final show Saturday

Ben Mattox performs as part of BenJammin & The Jammin Band during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portrays Prince Henry in “Red, White and Royal Blue.” (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

On the Screen: A romance for idealists

‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ a surprisingly biting romcom

Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portrays Prince Henry in “Red, White and Royal Blue.” (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
The Kenai River Brown Bears celebrate a second-period goal by Nick Stevens on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)

Season preview: Bears open 2023-24 season Saturday

The Kenai River Brown Bears drop the puck on their 2023-24 season Saturday at 4 p.m. AKDT on the road against the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel.… Continue reading

The Kenai River Brown Bears celebrate a second-period goal by Nick Stevens on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)